Vacations can add up quickly, especially when you bring the kids. That’s why you need to know my top 25 ways to save money for vacations through these cheap travel tips when you’re traveling on a budget. Keep scrolling for all the info!
This cheap travel tips post was written by family travel expert Marcie Cheung and contains affiliate links which means if you purchase something from one of my affiliate links, I may earn a small commission that goes back into maintaining this blog.
Our Hawaii trip next month? Five nights at Hyatt resorts on Oahu and Maui. Total cost for accommodations: $0.
Flights for our family of four to Maui? Less than what one person usually pays.
You probably think I’m either lying or ridiculously wealthy. Neither is true. I just know how to work the system.
For our February mid-winter break trip, I used Chase points for those Hyatt stays. Points I earned from regular spending on groceries and gas. The flights were even better.
My Alaska companion fare meant my son’s ticket cost maybe $99 in taxes and fees. That’s it.
People ask me all the time how we afford to travel so much with two kids. The honest answer? We’re not rich. We just know where to splurge and where to save.
Planning Disney World? Hawaii? Just a weekend away? These same strategies work everywhere.
25 Ways to Save Money on Family Vacations
1. Be Flexible (This One’s Big)
Flexibility saves more money than anything else. If you can be open about when and where you travel, you’ll find deals that everyone else misses.
I’m signed up for Going (formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights) and Just Get Out of Town. Every day I get emails about insane flight deals. Like $300 round-trip to Europe. Or $250 to Hawaii. But you have to act fast.
The catch? These deals won’t match your perfect dates or dream destination. You have to be willing to work around them.
2. Research Everything
Spending a few hours researching your destination saves so much money. Where do locals eat? Where can you park for free? Which museums have free admission days? Does your hotel charge hidden resort fees?
This kind of planning makes a huge difference. That’s why I created free email courses for Disney World, Disneyland, and Hawaii. Little details add up fast.
My post about saving money at Disneyland shows exactly how this works.
3. Travel Off-Season
School schedules make this tough. But we’ve pulled our kids out a few days early for spring break and mid-winter break. Flying before everyone else can save 30-50%.
Plus, way fewer crowds.
Winter in Florida or California is still gorgeous. Shorts and t-shirt weather. And San Diego in October? Kids get free admission to tons of places, including LEGOLAND.
Check your school calendar the day you get it. Circle those in-service days when other schools are in session. Those are your money-saving dates.
4. Compare Airlines
Don’t book the first decent flight you see.
I use Google Flights because you can see prices across different dates easily. Flying Tuesday instead of Monday sometimes saves $200 per person.
But sometimes the cheapest flight isn’t the best deal. We pay slightly more to fly airlines where we already have miles. Because getting closer to a free $400 flight makes that extra $50 worth it.
5. Book Packages
I know it sounds too easy, but booking flight, hotel, and car rental together actually saves money.
Costco Travel has ridiculous Hawaii packages right now. Hundreds of dollars cheaper than booking separately.
Expedia often has deals where bundling saves 10-15%. Worth checking.
6. Book Early or Book Late (Both Work)
The sweet spot for flights is about six weeks out. After that, prices usually climb.
Last-minute bookings can be awesome too. But risky. If you need specific dates for a specific trip, you might not get seats at all. I only recommend last-minute if you’re flexible.
Hotels? I’ve had luck both ways. But booking early gets you better room choices.
7. Fly Mid-Week
Tuesday and Wednesday flights cost less than weekend flights. Always.
Another reason to extend school breaks by a day or two. Flying out Tuesday instead of Friday for spring break can save hundreds.
8. Skip Cars in Cities
If you’re staying in New York or San Francisco, don’t rent a car.
Hotel parking runs $100-200. Then you pay more at every attraction. Plus trying to find parking with tired kids in the backseat? Hard pass.
Get a portable booster seat and use Uber or Lyft. Faster, cheaper, way less stress.
Road trips or places without parking fees? Sure, rent a car. Just not in cities.
9. Buses Over Trains
Buses are slower but way cheaper.
Research the bus system first. Lots of cities have great public transit that moves faster than you could drive anyway.
10. Walk When You Can
My favorite way to see a city. You notice everything you’d miss in a car.
No parking fees. No traffic.
I use GPS on my phone so we don’t get lost. And take free walking tours for local restaurant recommendations and hidden spots.
The Big Apple Greeter tours in NYC are awesome. So are Paris Greeters if you’re going to Europe.
11. Don’t Eat Every Meal at Restaurants
Restaurant meals with kids add up fast.
If your hotel has a kitchenette, use it. Even just breakfast and lunch at your room saves a ton.
I love exploring grocery stores when we travel. (I know that sounds weird.) But you find local brands and snacks you’d never see at home. And everything costs way less than hotel convenience stores.
More tips: cooking in Hawaii on a budget.
12. Pack Light
Less stuff means more savings.
If your place has a washer, pack even less. Stick to one color palette so you can mix and match outfits. Your family won’t look identical in photos, and you’ll have suitcase space for souvenirs.
13. Skip Checked Bags
Checked bag fees are ridiculous. $30-70 per bag each way.
For four people, that’s potentially $240-280. Just in baggage fees. That could be a nice dinner or an extra activity.
Packing cubes changed everything for us. They compress clothes so you can fit way more in a carry-on.
14. You Don’t Need Three Meals
When I travel, I’m just not as hungry. More walking, different schedule, whatever.
Big breakfast holds me until late afternoon. Then early dinner and I’m good.
This isn’t about starving yourself. Just eat when you’re hungry, not because it’s “lunchtime.”
15. Bring Snacks
You can bring snacks through airport security. Nothing liquid or gel-like. (Though I’ve never had problems with applesauce pouches.)
I buy bulk at Costco and portion it out for planes and hotel rooms. Saves me from $8 airport chips or $15 hotel trail mix.
Plus my kids don’t get hangry. Worth it.
16. Free Hotel Breakfast
Complimentary breakfast can save $30-60 per day.
But research what “free breakfast” actually means. Some hotels offer cold cereal and bananas. Others have full hot buffets. Some have free snacks all day.
Read TripAdvisor reviews or look at hotel photos.
17. Free Activities
Before every trip, I search for free things to do. Museums, beaches, playgrounds, hiking trails, festivals, concerts.
Kids love new parks. And parks don’t have gift shops.
I got free tickets to the Late Late Show with James Corden and Late Night with Seth Meyers. Both were fabulous experiences. Zero cost.
18. Camping
One of the cheapest ways to travel. Kids think sleeping under the stars is an adventure anyway.
Book campsites early. Popular spots fill up fast in summer.
19. Rent a House
Vrbo rentals can save money, especially for longer stays or bigger families.
Full kitchen, multiple bedrooms, washer and dryer. Usually costs less than multiple hotel rooms.
Having a kitchen means cooking meals. More savings.
20. Stay With Friends or Family
If you have people near your destination, ask if you can stay a few nights.
Just be a good guest. Clean up, offer to cook a meal, bring a nice gift. Don’t overstay.
21. Long-Term Apartments
Staying 3-4 weeks somewhere? Short-term apartment rental beats hotels.
Check if it’s furnished. Monthly rates are way lower than nightly.
22. Travel With Friends
More people, lower costs per person. Split gas, lodging, sometimes activities.
Plus bigger places with pools and game rooms. Kids entertain each other. Built-in babysitters for adult date nights.
Toddler travel beds let you fit more kids per room.
23. Avoid Gift Shops
My husband loves gift shops. But the prices are insane.
I grab stuff from Target’s Dollar Spot before we leave. Pack it in my suitcase. Pull it out strategically during the trip. Kids think they’re getting souvenirs. I’m spending $3 instead of $30.
Works great for Disneyland.
24. Airbnb Your Home
Not for everyone. But if you’re comfortable with it, renting your house while traveling can fund a big chunk of your trip.
Only makes sense for longer vacations. But worth considering.
25. National Park Pass
Costs $80 for U.S. residents. Valid one year.
If you visit National Parks twice a year, it pays for itself. Yellowstone, Yosemite, Grand Canyon, Glacier. So many awesome places.
Fourth graders get FREE admission to all National Parks. Perfect excuse for a summer road trip.
Buy your pass at Recreation.gov or any National Park entrance.
What This All Means
You don’t need crazy money to make awesome family memories.
Just be smart about where you spend and where you save. Use credit card points. Book flights during sales. Cook some meals at your hotel. Pick free activities.
These small choices save thousands of dollars.
And honestly? Our best travel moments are usually free ones. New playgrounds. Farmer’s markets. Walking around discovering hidden gems.
So plan that trip you’ve been thinking about. With these strategies, it’s more doable than you think.
Need help planning? I have free email courses:
More budget travel ideas:
- Disney World on a Budget
- Best US Budget Family Vacations
- Best Fall Budget Getaways
- Save Money on Spring Break
